Macallan Distillery makes Wood Awards shortlist

The Macallan Distillery & Visitor Experience in Speyside has been named among 20 “exceptional” buildings across the UK to have been nominated for the Wood Awards 2018 shortlist.

Established in 1971, the Wood Awards aim to encourage and promote outstanding design, craftsmanship and installation using wood.

The Awards are split into two main categories: Buildings and Furniture & Product. Within the Buildings competition there are five subcategories: Commercial & Leisure, Education & Public Sector, Interiors, Private and Small Project.

Designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners for owner Edrington, The Macallan is one of the most complex timber structures built in the UK.

The scheme’s five domes mirror the surrounding landscape but also allow height for the stratification and exhaust of hot air. A 3x3m lattice of beams is imposed orthogonally on the form-found shell of the roof. This approach allows for structural robustness and gives space for increased shear capacity.

The timber is reinforced with steel to act compositely where needed. All the timber elements were fabricated in Austria using advanced CNC machinery. The roof is 207m long and has an area of 13,620m2. The roof package comprised 350,000 separate pieces, including fixings, and almost every piece was different.

Main contractor Robertson, structural engineer Arup and L&S Baucon GmbH (installation) make up the project team.

The Macallan has been shortlisted in the Commercial & Leisure category alongside the City of London Freemen’s School Swimming Pool, Fallahogey Studio in Londonderry and Storey’s Field Centre & Eddington Nursery in Cambridge.

The judging panel, led by three-time Gold Award winner Stephen Corbett of Green Oak Carpentry, will visit all the shortlisted projects in person. The shortlist will be showcased at the London Design Fair (Stand: 13.3, Hall: H13), Old Truman Brewery, September 20-23.

Winners will be revealed at the annual Wood Awards ceremony at Carpenters’ Hall on 20th November, by ceremony host David Hopkins, director of the Timber Trade Federation.